Vintage in Orange was cold, with temperatures never rising above 29degrees. As a result, the harvest was pushed back to April which meant lessstress on the vines and sunburn to the grapes. The slow ripening of grapesduring autumn added wonderful aromas and flavours to the wines. The Cabernet Sauvignon produced by Cael's Gate is aged in new premiumFrench oak barrels. Offering purity and finesse, this wine is beautifullyfragrant on the nose with cassis, blueberry, violet, thyme and toasted nutaromas that lead to a succulent palate displaying excellent weight and persistency. Wonderfully structured by beautifully infused chalky tannins, finishing sturdy and lingering on the palate.

2022 was a wet season in the Hunter region with over 180 millimetres of rainin February alone. Mild weather and cooler conditions delayed harvest untilthe sun and welcoming winds dried out the vineyards. All was not lost, as the longer season introduced excellent flavours, natural acids and complexity intothe wines. This single vineyard wine produced by Cael's Gate was made from vinesplanted in 1971. This wine is richly fruited and impressively concentrated withrefinement and sophistication. This Shiraz shows dark berry, violet, warm spiceand cedary oak characters on the nose, followed by a gracefully powerfulpalate offering silky texture and fine tannins. Mouth filling and elegantlyopulent with a sustained satisfying finish.

The Riverina region was largely unafected by the heavy rainfall experiencedby other parts of New South Wales and this allowed Cael’s Gate to continueproducing their highly sought-after single vineyard wines. The cool night and warm days were the perfect growing environment for ripening grapes and thelack of disease and high sugar content contributed to a perfect harvest. The Cabernet Sauvignon produced by Cael’s Gate is aged in new premiumFrench oak barrels. The wine is beautifully fruited with a complexity of favoursdisplaying black currant, spiced cherry, thyme and cedar notes to tantalise thenose. The palate delivers a succulent fruit intensity and a supple mouthfeelthat is well supported by chalky tannins. The finishing notes are persistent andabundantly flavoursome.

Most grape growers and wineries in New South Wales faced a difficult vintage in2021 and Mudgee was no exception. Frequent heavy rains in the regionthreatened the quality of the crops and the fruit took longer to ripen. Despite the harvest being slow and steady, the final results yielded reasonable crops andclean grapes. The single vineyard wine produced by Cael's Gate are made from vines plantedin 1996. The wine is matured in new premium French oak barrels resulting inwine that is sweetly ripe and inviting on the nose. The notes are dark berry, cake spice, vanilla and roasted hazelnut aromas, followed by a delightfullyflavoursome palate offering a juicy fruit intensity combined with silky tannins.These complex and exciting flavours lead to an elegant delectable finish totantalize the senses.

A blend created in the Hunter, this classic mid-weight wine is savoury with lively red and dark fruit, and soft tannins. It's guaranteed to impress.

The Bimbadgen McDonalds Rd Shz McDonalds Rd 2021 is a standout wine from Hunter Valley, showcasing the exceptional quality of the region. Aromas of ripe dark cherries, plums, and blackberries are balanced by subtle hints of oak and spice. On the palate, velvety tannins give way to a burst of berry flavors, with a touch of vanilla and dark chocolate on the finish. The wine boasts a deep ruby color, hinting at its full-bodied nature. Produced in the 2021 vintage, this wine exemplifies the expertise and dedication of Bimbadgen Estate, a renowned winery based in New South Wales. Perfectly aged and well-structured, this wine is a testament to the rich and complex flavors that can be achieved in the Hunter Valley. Enjoy it now or cellar for even more complexity in the years to come.

The colour is dark crimson. It has aromas of lifted red and blue berry and oak spice. It is elegantly structured with dark plum and red fruits with a hint of blueberry, integrated oak carried by silky tannins and supple acidity.

Brokenwood and the Hunter Valley region is experience somewhat of a renaissance of late. Quality wines for a great prices just like this nice Hunter Shiraz. Typical earthy notes with hints of leather and spice all wrapped around dark brooding plum and cherry fruit. Quality oak imparts a subtle cedar character and fine grained tannins complete the wine that finishes long and smooth.

Picked from a wide cross-section of vineyards across the far reaches of the Hunter Valley. Whole-bunch pressed, directly transferred to French puncheons (40% new) ; a barrel selection was made with deliberate mlf; then matured 9 months with fortnightly batonnage. As complex as they come, but has retained focus and freshness. Alcohol: 12.5%. Closure: screwcap. Date tasted: Mar 2023. Drink: 2023-2028. Price: $48. Rating: 95/100.